Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a data generation unit that generates target data; an acquisition unit that acquires feature information of a latest block in a block chain when the target data is generated; a data combination unit that generates combined data of the target data and the feature information; a signature processing unit that computes a digital signature using a private key with respect to the combined data; and a registration unit that registers, to a time proof service, the digital signature as proof information indicating that the generated target data is correlated with the feature information acquired by the acquisition unit when the target data is generated.
This invention relates to a system for securely linking generated data to a blockchain for time-proof verification. The apparatus addresses the challenge of ensuring the integrity and timestamping of data by anchoring it to a blockchain, providing tamper-evident proof of existence and timing. The system includes a data generation unit that creates target data, such as documents or records. An acquisition unit retrieves feature information from the latest block in a blockchain when the target data is generated, capturing the blockchain's state at that moment. A data combination unit merges the target data with the acquired blockchain feature information, creating a combined dataset. A signature processing unit then computes a digital signature using a private key, cryptographically binding the combined data. Finally, a registration unit submits the digital signature to a time proof service, which stores it as proof that the target data was generated at the time corresponding to the blockchain's latest block. This approach ensures that the data's existence and timestamp can be independently verified by referencing the blockchain and the stored signature, providing a decentralized and trustworthy record. The system is particularly useful for applications requiring non-repudiation, such as legal documents, financial transactions, or audit logs.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the time proof service registers the proof information registered from the registration unit to the block chain.
The invention relates to an information processing apparatus designed to enhance the reliability and security of digital data by leveraging blockchain technology. The apparatus addresses the challenge of verifying the authenticity and integrity of digital information over time, ensuring that data cannot be altered without detection. The system includes a registration unit that generates proof information for digital data, such as a hash value or digital signature, which serves as evidence of the data's state at a specific point in time. This proof information is then registered with a time proof service, which acts as an intermediary to validate and store the data's authenticity. The time proof service further enhances security by registering the proof information to a blockchain, a decentralized and immutable ledger. By storing the proof information on the blockchain, the system ensures that the data's integrity and timestamp are permanently recorded and resistant to tampering. This approach provides a robust mechanism for verifying the authenticity of digital information, making it suitable for applications requiring high levels of trust, such as legal documents, financial records, and intellectual property management. The use of blockchain technology ensures that the proof information is tamper-evident and verifiable by any party with access to the blockchain, thereby enhancing transparency and reliability.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the signature processing unit computes a hash value of the combined data and encrypts the computed hash value using the private key to obtain the digital signature.
This invention relates to information processing systems that generate and verify digital signatures for data integrity and authentication. The problem addressed is ensuring secure and efficient digital signature generation, particularly in systems where data must be verified by third parties. The apparatus includes a signature processing unit that combines input data with additional information, such as a timestamp or metadata, to form combined data. The signature processing unit then computes a hash value of this combined data using a cryptographic hash function. The hash value is subsequently encrypted using a private key to produce a digital signature. This signature can later be verified using the corresponding public key to confirm the data's authenticity and integrity. The system may also include a verification unit that decrypts the signature using the public key and compares the decrypted hash value with a newly computed hash of the received data to validate its authenticity. The apparatus may further include a storage unit for storing the private key securely and a communication unit for transmitting the signed data to a recipient. This approach ensures that the digital signature is uniquely tied to the original data and any associated metadata, preventing tampering and providing a verifiable record of the data's origin and integrity. The use of a private key for encryption ensures that only the legitimate signer could have generated the signature, while the public key allows any recipient to verify it.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a unit that generates a new private key according to a user's instruction and sets the new private key to the registration unit as the private key used to compute the digital signature.
This invention relates to information processing systems that handle digital signatures, particularly in scenarios where secure key management is required. The problem addressed is the need to dynamically update or replace private keys used for digital signature generation without compromising security or system integrity. Existing systems often require complex procedures or downtime to change private keys, which can disrupt operations or introduce vulnerabilities. The apparatus includes a registration unit that stores a private key used to compute digital signatures for data. A generation unit creates a new private key in response to a user's instruction, such as when security policies require key rotation or a key is compromised. The new private key is then automatically set as the active key in the registration unit, replacing the previous one. This allows seamless key updates without manual intervention, ensuring continuous secure operations. The system may also include a verification unit to validate digital signatures using corresponding public keys, ensuring the integrity of signed data. The invention improves security by enabling timely key updates while maintaining operational efficiency. It is particularly useful in environments where cryptographic keys must be periodically rotated or replaced due to security policies, key compromise, or regulatory requirements. The automated process reduces human error and minimizes system disruptions during key changes.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a feature information storage unit that stores the feature information acquired by the acquisition unit when previous target data is generated as previous feature information, wherein the data combination unit generates combined data of the target data generated presently, the feature information acquired by the acquisition unit when the target data is generated, and the previous feature information stored in the feature information storage unit.
This invention relates to an information processing apparatus designed to enhance data analysis by combining current and historical feature information. The apparatus addresses the challenge of improving data processing accuracy by leveraging past data characteristics alongside newly acquired data. The system includes a feature information storage unit that retains feature information from previously generated target data, referred to as previous feature information. When new target data is generated, an acquisition unit captures its associated feature information. A data combination unit then integrates the current target data, its newly acquired feature information, and the stored previous feature information into a single combined dataset. This combined data enables more comprehensive analysis by incorporating temporal context, allowing for improved pattern recognition, trend analysis, or predictive modeling. The apparatus is particularly useful in applications where historical data context enhances the interpretation or utility of current data, such as in machine learning, anomaly detection, or time-series forecasting. By dynamically combining current and past feature information, the system provides a richer dataset for downstream processing tasks.
6. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute information processing, the information processing comprising: generating target data; acquiring feature information of a latest block in a block chain when the target data is generated; generating combined data of the target data and the feature information; computing a digital signature using a private key with respect to the combined data; and registering, to a time proof service, the digital signature as proof information indicating that the generated target data is correlated with the feature information which is acquired when the target data is generated.
This invention relates to a system for securely timestamping and verifying the origin of digital data using blockchain technology. The problem addressed is ensuring the integrity and provenance of generated data by linking it to a verifiable point in time using blockchain features. The solution involves creating a tamper-evident record that confirms the data's existence and state at a specific moment. The process begins by generating target data, which may be any digital information requiring authentication. When this data is created, the system retrieves feature information from the latest block in a blockchain. This feature information typically includes the block's hash, timestamp, or other unique identifiers that serve as a cryptographic anchor. The target data and blockchain features are then combined into a single dataset. A digital signature is computed for this combined data using a private key, ensuring only the data's creator can generate the signature. Finally, the digital signature is registered with a time proof service, which acts as a trusted third party to store and verify the correlation between the target data and the blockchain features. This registration serves as proof that the data existed in its current form at the time the blockchain block was created, providing non-repudiable evidence of its origin and integrity. The use of blockchain ensures the timestamp is decentralized and resistant to tampering.
7. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute information processing, the information processing comprising: when target data, feature information of a latest block that is acquired from a block chain when the target data is generated, and a digital signature computed from combined data of the target data and the feature information using a private key are obtained, acquiring time information of a block corresponding to the feature information from the block chain and that sets the time information to a first time point; acquiring time information of a block that includes the digital signature from the block chain and sets the time information to a second time point; and presenting information indicating that the target data is generated in a period between the first time point and the second time point.
This invention relates to a system for verifying the generation time of digital data using blockchain technology. The problem addressed is the need to establish a verifiable timeframe for when data was created, ensuring integrity and preventing tampering. The solution involves using blockchain features to anchor data to specific time points. The system stores target data along with feature information from the latest block in a blockchain when the data is generated. A digital signature is computed by combining the target data and the feature information using a private key. When verifying the data, the system retrieves the time information of the block corresponding to the feature information, setting this as the first time point. It then retrieves the time information of the block that includes the digital signature, setting this as the second time point. The system presents information indicating that the target data was generated within the period between these two time points. This method ensures that the data's creation time can be cryptographically verified by referencing immutable blockchain records. The approach leverages blockchain's decentralized and tamper-resistant nature to provide a trustworthy timestamping mechanism for digital data.
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September 3, 2019
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